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Ukraine’s Zelenskyy on defying US in attacking Russian oil: ‘Our response must be painful’
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Ukraine will continue striking Russian oil refineries while Russia attacks Ukrainian energy infrastructure. He argues that attacks on Russian military-related targets are a response to near-daily Russian strikes that have caused power cuts ahead of winter.
Zelenskyy said he had discussed refinery attacks with Donald Trump and his team, and suggested Ukraine could consider stopping them if the US supplied more Patriot missile interceptors. He also urged Trump to propose an energy ceasefire at planned talks in Abu Dhabi. Zelenskyy praised a humanitarian truce that enabled residents to leave Russian-controlled Oleshky, calling the evacuation a significant result.
In short
- Zelenskyy says Ukraine will keep responding to Russian energy strikes.
- He linked a possible pause in refinery attacks to more Patriot interceptors.
- He called for an energy ceasefire at planned Abu Dhabi talks.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Ukraine can argue that striking refineries supporting Russia’s war effort is a proportionate response to repeated attacks on its energy system, which leave civilians facing power cuts as winter approaches. Such strikes may impose costs on Russia and strengthen Ukraine’s position in seeking an energy ceasefire, while additional Patriot interceptors could offer an alternative way to protect Ukrainian infrastructure.
The case against
Critics can argue that attacks on oil facilities risk widening the conflict, disrupting energy supplies and provoking further retaliation against Ukrainian civilians and infrastructure. They may also question whether refinery strikes achieve enough military or diplomatic benefit to justify those risks, and favour prioritising air defences and negotiations for a reciprocal ceasefire.
Explained simply
Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in 2022, and the two countries have since attacked military and infrastructure targets. Russian strikes on Ukraine’s power network have caused outages, a concern as colder weather increases demand for heating and electricity.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy is Ukraine’s president. Donald Trump is the US president, and the United States supplies Ukraine with weapons, including Patriot air-defence systems used to intercept missiles. Refinery attacks matter because oil helps fund Russia’s economy and war effort, while damage to energy facilities can also affect fuel supplies and wider energy security.
The proposed talks in Abu Dhabi concern the war, while an energy ceasefire would mean both sides stopping attacks on energy facilities. Oleshky is a town in Russian-controlled territory in southern Ukraine; a humanitarian truce there allowed residents to leave.
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